Atomic Systems

In the 4 years that I've been a member there has been a steady decline in the number of steam-related postings. Whether it be Screenshots, Activities or Building New Stock the Steam projects are greatly outnumbered. As someone who is mainly interested in steam, with a passing interest in diesels, and no interest at all in DMU's or EMU's, I find it increasingly frustrating to have to open threads only to find that it's not something I want to see or read about. Would it be possible for a Steam Only Forum to be created? Probably only a single forum would be needed to contain all steam-related subjects and information, whether it concerned activities, new models, or screenshots etc.

I would willingly support this notion, sounds like a great idea

Hi
I thought ther'd just been a steady decline......... but it wouldn't effect me as I search all forums at the same time.
Cheers
Jon

My observations suggest that there is a very significant decline in MSTS steam postings and new downloads, though there is very comprehensive range of MSTS steam locos, so comprehensive that I often wonder what significant omissions there now are. For my part I have spent virtually all my train simming time with RS since its launch. In the last few months there has been a considerable number of excellent new steam locos launched for RS and freeware at that too! They don't have customised cabs or sound but are very much appreciated.

My interest, too, is predominently steam, and while I appreciate the green diesel period my interest sharply declines after that. I too, have no interest in dmus or emus and am much amused at the endless of variety of repaints/reskins that is supposed to adorn these hapless specimens!
For all that, whether we need a steam forum is not necessarily clear. Maybe subsections to forum topics based on differing time periods may be a way forward.

Mark

I appreciate the thought behind this topic, however in my view there would need to be sub divisions in any such revision.

I feel that activity and physics are usually very separate groupings, personnally I never read activities.

What is needed is a clear identification that the post concerns diesel, electric or steam.

The period method could be useful but this would again need at least 4 versions:

Steam-Transition-BR classic diesel/electric-Post privatisation era.

All in all the familiar compromise is probably the best available

I'm pleased to see that I'm not a lone voice in this. I don't really have any strong views on how best this could be achieved, but some form of separation would be useful and would probably allow an improved dialogue between like-minded members.

I do steam as it seems to me that DMU's/EMU's and even early diesels are already covered by many people. I've got in mind a 2 part act for your recent KA, but I've got a couple of other things to complete first.

I empathise with the original theme of the posting, but I would caution against over splitting the forums. It would be nice if posters were a bit more thoughtful about their titles when posting which would achieve the same result with less overhead but we live in an imperfect world.

It would be nice to think the decline in steam related postings is down to the fact that those of us working in that genre are getting it mostly right...

choccy wrote: so comprehensive that I often wonder what significant omissions there now are.

There isn't much BR LMS stuff, there is TONS in the original LMS livery.
As far a I know none of these BR Standard locos are in UKTS as original models (ie: not reskins of Payware).

6P5F 72xxx "Clan" class, class 4 76xxx, class 3 77xxx, class 2 78xxx, class 2 84xxx.

Please feel free to correct me anyone who thinks this is wrong!!

I'm not very well up on the LNER, but I suspect there are quite a few missing there.

The GWR/Western Region is very well represented, but is there a class 8100 or a class 1101? Admittedly the 8100 is a 5100 variation, but the 1101 (0-4-0T) looks a right old crock!!

perfnet wrote:It would be nice if posters were a bit more thoughtful about their titles when posting which would achieve the same result with less overhead

I agree; as someone who has not always been thoughtful about the titles of my new posts, I'll take this to heart from now on. I think clearer titles is the way forward. I have an interest in all forms of traction and enjoy browsing threads on many different topics (I prefer post-steam as I sadly have no personal recollection of steam, but I think dee4141's latest steam screenshots thread is fantastic).

Michael

I'm a self-confessed steam nut with a decided leaning towards Great Eastern Royal Blue - as many longer serving members of these forums are probably well aware.
However, that doesn't stop me appreciating more modern machinery - though how people can think some designs are attractive beats me, but it's their thing, not mine, and who am I to judge? I remember as a child being excited when the new diesel-hauled express ran through Goodmayes at 4.10 in the afternoon - because it wasn't just another Britannia or bongo. The newness of diesels eventually wore off, but the sight and sound of a steam engine, especially one at speed never fails to excite me even now, fifty years on. Similarly in MSTS; I enjoy driving trains, no matter what kind they are, but my first love will always be to drive a steamer - even the little buckjumper on the six miles to Thaxted is more entertaining than a thrash up the mainline with an HST - but those beasts are still one of the most impressive pieces of railway engineering of modern times.

It's all a matter of taste; I won't try to force you to like my tastes, and you don't push me the same way - but if a few more of us tried to raise the profile of steam in this community, I for one won't complain.

Anyone got ideas of making an E4?

thenudehamster wrote: Anyone got ideas of making an E4?

Wot Dat? I thought it was the Chingford Post Code!!!!

I agree with you, I've been drawn to steam stuff for two reasons, The Cambrian 2 and the fact that most other people seem to be uploading DMU/EMU stuff (Yaawwwwnnnn!).


I quite enjoy a thrashing with an HST now and again (oooh-err missus).

mendes wrote:

thenudehamster wrote: Anyone got ideas of making an E4?

Wot Dat? I thought it was the Chingford Post Code!!!!

E4 was the BR designation of an ex-GER 2-4-0. Last one I saw in real life was at Cambridge round about 1957, but one is stuffed and mounted (in Great Eastern blue) at the NRM.

alanch wrote:

mendes wrote:

thenudehamster wrote: Anyone got ideas of making an E4?

Wot Dat? I thought it was the Chingford Post Code!!!!

E4 was the BR designation of an ex-GER 2-4-0. Last one I saw in real life was at Cambridge round about 1957, but one is stuffed and mounted (in Great Eastern blue) at the NRM.

Thanks alan, I'm not that clued up on LNER/GER, or should I say even less clued up!!

alanch wrote:

mendes wrote:

thenudehamster wrote: Anyone got ideas of making an E4?

Wot Dat? I thought it was the Chingford Post Code!!!!

E4 was the BR designation of an ex-GER 2-4-0. Last one I saw in real life was at Cambridge round about 1957, but one is stuffed and mounted (in Great Eastern blue) at the NRM.

Close, she is owned by the NRM but she is on static display at Bressingham.

http://andrewsheritagetransport.fotopic ... 95674.html

She is kept company with other locos such as the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway tank, GNR C2 "Henry Oakley" and this stunning GNR Large Atlantic:

http://kieranhardy.fotopic.net/p43821997.html

Plus of course an E4 is also an LBSCR 0-6-2 tank.

http://kieranhardy.fotopic.net/p40243538.html